But stars Keri Russell, 37, and Matthew Rhys, 39, heated things up in a series of provocative poses for a photo shoot for GQ's February Love, Sex & Madness issue.

On the show, the two pose as an American man and wife in a relationship that's every bit as physical and dangerous as their mission.

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Dangerous liaison: The Americans stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys posed for a series of provocative shots for GQ's Love Sex & Madness February issue

And Matthew told GQ that Keri can't resist slapping him around in real life, too.

'The smack usually comes the second before they say "Action." Basically I am starting every scene with a slightly shocked look on my face and a red handprint on my cheek,' the hunky actor revealed.

The brunette said her of her character, Elizabeth Jennings: 'I love that she’s a mom who doesn’t always get it right. She’s making a bologna sandwich for her kids one minute and then blowing a guy in a hotel for intel the next.'

Undercover: The couple play dangerous Russian spies posing as a regular couple in the FX series

Calling it 'a guy's show,' she continued: 'There's a lot of action, definitely some tits and ass showing. But it has a psychological-thriller element I think really appeals to women.'

GQ's February issue is out on Tuesday

GQ dressed the pair in designer 'spy' outfits for the shoot. No foreign agent could resist Keri in a short, gold Burberry coat, black Agent Provocateur stockings and black Christian Louboutin high heels.

In one of the pictures, Keri and Matthew faced each other as they stood in a narrow corridor, both leaning against the wall. Keri stood on one leg and got the other impossibly high, placing her Louboutin heel by Matthew's shoulder.

The Americans returns to FX for a second season on February 26.

Meanwhile, there have been rumours that the pair are a couple in real life, too.

The actress announced in early December that she had split from her husband of nearly seven years, Shane Deary. They have two children, Willa, aged two, and six year-old River.

On December 26, People reported that Keri was spotted looking cozy with her Americans partner in New York City. 'They looked very much like a couple,' a source told the weekly. 'They were laughing and walking closely together.'

GQ's February Love, Sex & Madness issue hits newsstands on Tuesday.

Life imitating art: Keri, 37, and 39-year-old Matthew, pictured at the Paley Festival's New York screenings in October, are rumoured to be in a romantic relationship